This RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course gives you the essential theory to confidently sail a small yacht by day in both tidal and non-tidal waters. Your RYA certificate is valid worldwide, so tidal knowledge is an important part of the training – even if you plan to sail mainly in the Mediterranean.
We recommend the RYA Day Skipper online course from Navathome, a specialist RYA training centre for distance learning. You can book directly with Navathome, or we can include the course in your Aegean Sailing School booking and enrol you on your behalf. Your contract for the online course will be with Navathome, not us. You can see their Terms & Conditions here.
Navathome will send your course pack and navigation instruments, and their instructors provide all course delivery and support. The course takes around 40-50 hours, so please ensure you have the time and discipline to complete it successfully.
If you’ve already completed the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship course, you can proceed to a Day Skipper Shorebase theory level.
The Day Skipper Theory Course is designed for anyone with a passion for sailing who wants to improve their skills and knowledge.
It’s ideal for beginners looking to learn navigation and basic seamanship, as well as for experienced sailors who want structured tuition before taking the RYA Day Skipper Practical course.
Seamanship & Boat Handling: Learn parts of the boat, ropes, knots, anchoring, and manoeuvres.
Navigation & Chart Work: Compass, charts, plotting positions, GPS use, and course planning.
Tides & Tidal Streams: Understanding tides, using tables, and planning around tidal flows.
Safety & Meteorology: Life jackets, emergency procedures, weather systems, and forecasts.
Passage Planning & Pilotage: Planning safe passages, entering and leaving harbours, and using buoys and bearings.
Collision Regulations & Passage Making: Rules of the road, avoiding collisions, and managing longer passages, including crew and supplies.
Full online course materials via Navathome, an RYA-accredited training platform
Navigation instruments and interactive exercises
Guidance and support throughout your learning
Certificate of completion recognized by the RYA
To enable access to your online course we need to share some of your personal data with Navathome via www.navathome.com. This training website and database is held and maintained on a secure server. Navathome is an RYA training centre which specialises in online navigation training and will not use your personal information for any reason other than enabling your course.
Read what some of our sailing students have to say, explore our course catalogue, and contact us for more information about each course and our availabilities to come and sail in Greece!